Planning and Reservations:
We planned this vacation months in advance, eight days in New York City, late December 2002, absolutely *must* stay midtown, the only destination for a whirlwind True New York Week. We booked online, at the Hilton website, which is as comprehensive as it gets: offers AAA discount rates, as well as military, AARP, and Hilton HHonors (Which I joined before our stay.)
We nabbed a rate of $159/night for a King Non-Smoking Room. Simply and utterly amazing for New York City, especially Christmas Week! With our Hilton HHonors membership (free) the room came with numerous little touches and upgrades (Free robes and bottled water, to name a few.)
Arrival:
From LaGuardia airport, it was about 45 minutes in "Rush Hour" traffic. Our sedan dropped us at the front door on 42nd Street, where two bellmen greeted us and ushered us inside the alley of a lobby (Beautiful and light, just very narrow!) where there is an information desk and the elevator to the "Sky Lobby" on the 22nd floor. The Sky Lobby is done in mahogany woods, with a sitting area looking east, and a bar which fills up nightly with locals and tourists. Later, it and the Restaurant Above are a chic after-theatre destination. Our check in went smoothly, and within 10 minutes (at peak rush hour time: 4:15) we were inside our 36th floor room.
The Room:
36 floors soaring over New York city. The view was incredible: To our left was the Empire State Building, to the right was Hudson River and Jersey City. South was an amazing sight for anyone familiar with the New York Skyline...a clear view of what has been named "Ground Zero." Spooky, to say the least, but enchanting as well. Words cannot describe the city lit up at night.
The room itself was simply huge by any standards, let alone compared to New York's usual cubbyholes. Contemporary art adorned the walls, and not in the usual garish colors. The furniture was warm blond wood, making the room warmer than typical hotel rooms. Marble in the bathroom was another luxury touch. There was a large closet in the hallway, a large armoire with more hanging space and a few drawers, with a safe in it, and a small dresser with 6 drawers. Our 8 days worth of winter luggage fit fine, with plenty of room for my daily aquisitions! The king size bed was comfy and the sheets were soft and clean. Beyond the bed and armoire, there was a sitting area with a setee and small table with a standing lamp. Across was the desk with two chairs, high-speed internet connection, and touristy New York pamphlets (which were actually helpful, and included a subway map.) Lacking was a fridge, which was sent up within 20 minutes of our phone call to the front desk. Overall the room was one of the nicest luxury rooms I've seen, and we found ourselves actually looking foward to resting in the room after a long afternoon of walking New York's streets.
The Staff:
In the Sky Lobby, the ever-friendly concierge was always there with a welcome greeting...and he was actually helpful (gasp! A Helpful New York Concierge? NO!) He provided a list of "local" eateries, when asked for "non-touristy" joints, and also had a working knowledge of theatre discounts (Much more than TKTS too!) The Front Desk staff greeted us by last name a few times when we walked off the elevator. Small town class in a MidTown hotel!
Below in the lower lobby, there were bellmen and security personnel, usually 1 security guard and 2 bellmen. I rarely walked out the doors without them being held for me, a rarity even in luxury hotels in a busy bustling city. The nightly security guards provided comfort when we returned with bags filled with purchases.
Overall:
42nd Street conjures up all sorts of seedy images in the mind of any repeat New York visitor. Erase them. 42ns Street might as well be "Disney New York." Bright lights, clear sidewalks and streets, luxury hotels and newly refurbished theatres and restaurants. I am a small, 5'4'' female, and I walked these streets alone at night without even a snip of fear or a glimpse of the "old 42nd Street." A few peep shows remain, and in my opinion, should, because they lend a bit of the original character to this new, clean Times Square. I saw families, children, locals, tourists, business men...a hodgepodge melting pot, just as New York SHOULD be. This hotel personifies the "New" Times Square/42nd Street. It is luxury and touristy, businessman and family, steps from the theatre and steps from world-famous delis, theatres, transportation, and right in the middle of all the action. This is my new "New York Hotel." I will stay here every time we go, and I highly reccomend it to anyone travelling, regardless of your motivation: Business travellers will find it more than stocked with internet access and deskroom, families will find the rooms large and comfy, younger singles will find themselves smack-dab in the middle of New York's huge nightlife scene. (Theatre, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, tourist traps...)
This hotel goes above and beyond my expectations, and I cannot wait to re-visit.


Recommended: Yes